Hike Rice Creek Loop at Rice Creek North Regional Trail

Rating	★★★☆☆(3/5)
Overall Difficulty	Easy
Navigation Difficulty	Easy
Distance	2.5 miles roundtrip
Time	1 hour
Terrain	Mostly flat
Best Seasons	All
Family Friendly	Yes
Dog Friendly	Yes
Accessible	Yes

Highlights

Gorgeous prairie with abundant wildflowers
Short hike good for all seasons

Hike Summary

This hike is the kind of place you wouldn't know about unless you live in the area. Even though the trail is close to the freeway and has quite a bit of road noise, the landscape is stunningly beautiful. Wildflowers are abundant, depending on the time of year -- see picture below. This is also a good location for birdwatching; there are several tall wooden platforms constructed for birds of prey to build their nests and many smaller birdhouses posted along the creek. Surprisingly, I even saw a deer near the end of my hike.

Wildflowers growing along the trail
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Dogs are allowed on leash. There is also a 13 acre off-leash area nearby off of Lexington Avenue; you can reach it by walking approximately 1.5 miles on the Rice Creek Trail heading north from this parking lot (opposite direction of the hike described here). This flat, paved trail is accessible, and the short distance means its perfect for kids and strollers. Note that this is also a bike trail, and while it's no Midtown Greenway, be sure to keep your eye out for cyclists.

From the parking lot, head south on the trail, then turn right when you reach the side of the road. Cross the street at the crosswalk, then continue straight. At the T intersection, you can choose to go either direction since this is a loop. In about a mile, cross the bridge over the creek to complete the loop rather than continuing straight towards the road. Once you complete the loop, turn to head back the way you came and cross the road to the parking lot.

The overgrown prairie grasses hide the view of Rice Creek
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This hike is worth a stop if you live in the Twin Cities and need a quick nature fix or a weeknight activity. It is another example of the excellent recreational facilities provided by Ramsey County -- be sure to check out Tony Schmidt Regional Park if you enjoyed this hike!

Note: the PDF map you can find on the official page below (first link) is from 2006 and does not reflect current conditions. The official map below (second link) is a web application that has up to date information.

Directions

This trail is located just off of Interstate 35W in the northern suburbs of the Twin Cities. Take the exit for County Road I, then head east. The entrance to the parking lot will soon be on your left and is well marked with a concrete monument.

Google Maps Directions